LENIOR, N.C. -- The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office says skeletal remains have been found northeast of Lenoir.

But sheriff's deputies say they don't know if the remains are those of 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

The girl was killed in 2010 and her stepmother pleaded guilty last year to second degree murder. Investigators never found the disabled girl's skull, which might confirm she died from a blow to the head.

Sgt. B.J. Fore said investigators have not determined the age, gender or race of the remains.

Officials would not confirm the skeletal remains included a child's skull.

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, returned to Australia in January with his daughter's remains that had been recovered.

The State Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and the Medical Examiner's Office assisted in the recovery Tuesday.